Doctoral hat

The doctoral hat symbolises freedom as well as power. The doctoral hat in Sweden is always black and pleated. At the front of the hat, a golden buckle is placed that represents the faculty from which the doctor has received his/hers degree. The faculty buckles vary from one university to another. The hat was associated to the higher faculties in the middle ages (theology, law, medicine and pharmacy).

At the University of Borås, a hat can be used by the doctors within one of the following degrees:

• Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Fine Arts
• Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Caring Science
• Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Resource Recovery (in Swedish: Teknologie doktor i resursåtervinning)
• Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Textile Materials Technology (in Swedish: Teknologie doktor i textil materialteknik)

The hats are handmade upon request and have to be ordered a couple of months ahead of the ceremony. You must order and purchase the hat yourself. We recommend that you visit the hat maker so that a measurement of your head and shape can be made correctly. The last date to order a hat for the ceremony 2024 is 9 February. Please inform the Master of Ceremonies once you have placed your order. 

Recommended place of purchase

Franzéns Hattmakeri
Västra Skansgatan 1B
413 02 Göteborg
E-mail: info@hattmakarna.se
Web: www.hattmakarna.se/larosaten/hogskolan-i-boras/ (external link)

There are a few hats to borrow from the university. However, the number of hats and their sizes are limited so they might not fit very well. If you wish to inquire about borrowing a hat, contact the Master of Ceremonies.

Laurel wreath

The laurel wreath is associated with the philosophical faculties. All doctoral degrees, except the doctors of technology, should use the wreath at the conferment ceremony; nonetheless, a hat can be bought afterwards and be worn at ceremonial occasions.

• Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science
• Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Textile Management
• Degree of Doctor of Philosophy  in Resource Recovery (in Swedish: Filosofie doktor i resursåtervinning)
• Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Textile Materials Technology (in Swedish: Filosofie doktor i textil materialteknik)

The university provides wreaths for those who are awarding the doctoral degrees. It is handmade upon request and the circumference (centimetres) of your head is needed for making the wreath. No visit beforehand is necessary

Diploma

In the beginning, the diploma was a proof of the acquired education and a ratification of the rights associated to the degree for the individual. The diploma is now not formal proof of the doctoral degree.

The University of Borås gives the diplomas as a gift to each new doctor in the conferment ceremony. The text in the diploma is in Latin, however the name itself is not changed to a Latin form. 

Ring

The ring is worn on the left ring finger and symbolises matrimony with science. The doctoral graduation ring is made of gold also to symbolise fidelity. The design varies between the universities but a common feature in the design of the ring in Sweden is the presence of oak leaves or laurel.

The ring has to be purchased by the doctor who wants to wear it at the ceremony. The ring must be ordered at least a month before the conferment ceremony. The University of Borås uses the doctor of philosophy ring and nothing else. 

Recommended place of purchase

Hovjuvelerare Martin Johansson AB
Kungsportsavenyn 27
400 14 Göteborg
Telefon: 031-16 00 50

The university does not assist with the purchase, but you need to inform the Master of Ceremonies if you decide to buy a ring. You are responsible for bringing the ring to the ceremony.